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A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
EIGHT GENERATIONS OF HOOPERS
IN AMERICA
WILLIAM HOOPER
1635
TO
IDOLENE SNOW (HOOPER) CROSBY
1883
COMPILED BY
Mrs. WILLIAM SUMNER CROSBY
BROOKLINE. MASSACHUSETTS
1906
PRINTED FOR
PRIVATE CIRCULATION
N.
o.
^
Gift
Author
(PBTWn)
20Wr'07
GEO. H. ELLIS CO., PRINTERS, 272 CONGRESS ST., BOSTON.
A HOOPER FAMILY IN AMERICA.
This genealogical sketch of one line of Hoopers in America has
been prepared for the benefit of the children of Mrs. Sumner
Crosby (Idolene Snow Hooper), now living in Alameda, Cal.
No attempt has been made by the compiler of these records, (a
grandmother of the children), to establish a distinguished name.
Like most families in New England, this family of Hoopers is of
good yeoman stock.
Mr. J. N. Larned, the learned historian, in "Books, Culture,
and Character," suggests the thought that human life is lived
on a narrow strand, between two great oceans, — the Ocean of
Time Past and the Ocean of Time to Come. When you turn,
looking futureward, you see nothing with certainty: it is veiled
by an impenetrable mist. But, if you look to that other sea
and look out upon that measureless expanse of Time Past, you
will see that it is covered with ships. Those ships come sailing
to us in numbers beyond our counting. They bring us the story
of a forgotten life, with its experience, its wisdom, its warnings,
its counsels, its consolations, and its discoveries. What if there
were no ships to bring us all this ?
It is through our ancestors that we learn the way in which
American independence was won and the Federal Republic of
the United States was constructed. It is through these ancestors
that we learn of Bunker Hill and George Washington, we learn
of the coming of the "Mayflower," and the planting of life in
the New World from Old World stocks. "And yet there are
those men and women who live as though no ship had ever come
to them from the far shores of old Time, where their ancestry
dwelt; and the interest of existence to them is huddled in the
petty space of their own few years, between walls of mist which
thicken as impenetrably behind them as before." It is the hope
of this grandmother, that the children of Mrs. Sumner Crosby
will not accept life on such narrow terms; that they will not
be content to live in ignorance of their own ancestors; that
through a study of the lives of these ancestors they may come
to have a knowledge of the history of Time Past.
In England and in America, in the early records, the surname
of Hooper is spelled in various ways. In England we have the
name as "Hope, Hoope, Hupper, Hopper, and Hooper." In
the "Province of Mayne" records, as late as 1761, in the same
deed, yo\i will find the name written as "hupper, hopper, and
Hooper," referring to the same person; and this is equally true
in the "Mayne" wills.
It is probable that the surname of Hooper was first used in
England about the year 1275. There is no record to show that
it is older, than this date. Whether the name was originally
derived from a "trade," as Bowditch claims in his "Origin of
New England Family Names," is not now known.
"In 1275 William le Hopore possessed lands in Dorset, Eng-
land. In 1325 the name of Hooper is found in the county of
Somerset. The name of Hooper was the Norman French term
for a cloth merchant, and it may be presumed that the family
which bore it was foreign."— T/ie Norman People, p. 289.
The name of Hooper does not appear in the Domes-day Book.
For the benefit of these grandchildren it may be well to insert
the following: —
"Doomsday Book, [so called because its decision was regarded
as final] a book containing a digest, in Norman French, of the
results of a census or survey of England undertaken l)y order
of William the Conqueror and completed in 1085. It consists
of two volumes in vellum, a large folio containing 382 pages
and a quarto containing 450. They form a valuable record of the
ownership, extent, and value of the lands of England (1) at the
time of the survey, (2) at the date of bestowal when they had
been granted by the king, and (3) at the time of Edward the
Confessor, when a somewhat similar survey had been made;
the numbers of tenants and dependents, amount of live stock,
etc., were also returned."— The Century Dictionary, vol. ii.
There are many genealogists, as shown in printed family his-
tories, who seem to care more for glory than for truth; and
hence you find these same families claiming descent from " Will-
iam the Conqueror" (when it is not from Charlemagne), whose
family surname had its birth long years after this "survey" was
made in England, in 1085. Not always is it dishonesty, but is
the result of either carelessness or ignorance on the part of the
family.
John Hooper (written also hup'er and hop'er) was an Eng-
lish Protestant bishop. All authorities agree that he was born
in Somersetshire, in England, about the year 1495. This Bishop
Hooper is the most distinguished member of the English family
of Hoopers. "While a student at Oxford, he was converted
to the Protestant faith. In 1539, to escape the Bloody Statutes
of Henry VIII., he retired from England, and passed several
years in Zurich. At the death of Henry he settled in London,
where he became an eminent and eloquent preacher. In 1550
he was made Bishop of Gloucester, and in 1552 received the
bishopric of Worcester in commendam. Soon after the accession
of Mary he was condemned as a heretic, and, refusing to recant,
was burned at the stake in 1553. He wrote numerous theologi-
cal works." (See Burnet, History of the Reformation.)
John Fox, in his "Book of Martyrs," writes, "John Hooper
was married in Zurich to a Burgonian" (p. 323).
y In 1635, on the thirteenth day of July, the ship "James," sail-
ing from the port of London, England, for New England, brought
among its passengers two young men, one William Hooper, age
eighteen, the other Thomas Marshall, age twenty-two. This
William^ Hooper was destined to become the father of the family
of Hoopers in America. No one has ever searched the English
records to see from whence came this William Hooper to New
England, and in the absence of such proof, it is all a matter of
conjecture with the compiler of these records as to where Will-
iam Hooper's home was in England.
" The under written names. Persons of Quality, are to be trans-
ported to New England imbarqued in the James, Jno. May,
Mr, for N. E. p. Cert: from the ministers of their conformitie
in Religeon : and that they are no subsedy men : William Hooper
age 18: Thomas Marshall age 22: porte of London, July 13,
1Q35."— Original Lists: J. C. Hotten, p. 107.
After this date (1635) there is no record of any one bearing the
surname of Hooper in New England until 1642, when the name of
William^ Hooper appears in the First Church records in the town of
"Redding," Mass., as oneof the " original members " in this church.
This record has also the name of "Elizabeth Hooper." Whether
6
this Elizabeth Hooper was the wife of William* it will be diffi-
cult to prove; but it is probable that she was, from the fact that
her name did not appear before 1642 in any other record, neither
does it appear after this date. If so, she was a first wife, for in
1669 and in 1679 the wife of William' Hooper was "Ruth Hooper."
In this same church record are the names of Thomas Marshall
and Elizabeth Marshall, his wife. Pope, in his "Pioneers of
America," claims that William Hooper was a "weaver," and
Thomas Marshall a "shoemaker." It is interesting to note that
the surname of the " Father of English Poetry," Geoffrey Chaucer,
signifies "Shoemaker." (Century Dictionary of Proper Names,
p. 239.)
"My angel, — his name is Freedom, —
Choose him to be your king;
He shall cut pathways east and west,
And fend you with his wing.
" I will have never a noble,
No lineage counted great;
Fishers and choppers and ploughmen
Shall constitute a state.
"Co cut down trees in the forest,
And trim the straightest boughs;
Cut down trees in the forest,
And build me a wooden house.
"Call the people together.
The young men and the sires,
The digger in the harvest field,
Hireling and him that hires;
"And here in a pine state-house
They shall choose men to rule
In every needful faculty,
In church, and state, and school.
" Lo, now ! if these poor men
Can govern the land and sea
And make just laws below the sun,
As planets faithful be.
"I cause from every creature
His proper good to flow:
As much as he is and doeth,
So much he shall bestow."
R. W. Emerson.
There is no reasonable explanation why William ^ Hooper
together with Thomas Marshall, should leave England in 1635
unless the "trades" were disturbed to such extent that there
was little manufacture. Added to this is the fact that between
1630 and 1640 religious persecution was at its height. During
this period was the largest emigration of Englishmen to New
England. Charles I. was ruling England without a Parliament,
and was levying a direct tax on the people to support the govern-
ment. As shown after, by the Long Parliament, this period, 1630-
40, marked the decline in England's prosperity, — a decline she
was long years in recovering from. The king's two advisers were
Thomas Wentworth (Earl of Strafford) and William Laud.
Bishop Laud was born in Reading, England, " the son of a weaver."
If William Hooper was a "weaver," — and he probably was, for
he mentions "my Loombs and all my Tackling" in his will in
1678, — he came from some place of manufacture in England.
In 1635 the only town of considerable importance in manufact-
ure that was close to the "port of London" was Reading, about
thirty-five miles distant from London. The town at that time
had a population of 35,000. Its situation was on the Thames at
its confluence with the river Kennet. A beautiful town, as well
as one of considerable note. It is possible that here was the
birthplace of William Hooper, v/"
A little closer inspection of the records of "Redding," Mass.,
discloses the fact that among those "twelve first settlers in
Redding" was one Dea. Thomas Parker. Mr. Parker was born
in Reading, England, in 1605. He sailed from the port of
London in the "Susan and Ellen," April 13, 1635. He sailed
three months in advance of Hooper and Marshall; came from
Reading in England, where "Loombs and Tackling" were in use,
sailed from the same port as Hooper and Marshall did a little
later, and is recorded in Lynn (Mass.) records (together with
Thomas Marshall) as having settled in Lynn in 1635.
He was one of the "original settlers" in "Redding," Mass.,
together with Hooper and Marshall, in 1642. The historian of
the town of Reading (Mass.) claims that these three men were
related. Thomas Marshall is named as "my brother" in Will-
iam Hooper's will, in 1678. This circumstantial evidence does
not prove the birthplace of William Hooper; but, until some one
disproves it, Reading in England is the possible early home of
8
our William Hooper. It is further possible, that these three men
have the honor of naming Reading, Mass., and in memory of their
Enghsh home.
In 1639 settlers at "Lynn Commons" petition the Colony
Court for the right to change the name of Lynn Commons to
"Redding," and ask to be allowed to be incorporated as a sepa-
rate town. The answer to this petition was that, when " Lynn
Commons" had a settlement of twelve families and could support
a minister, the petition would be granted. The names of the
signers to this petition were lost, but it is claimed in the History
of Reading that WilHam Hooper's name was among them.
Reading in 1642 was a wide-spreading country, including all
of what is now known as Wakefield and South Reading.
The land was originally bought from the Indians of Plymouth
Colony for £10 16s., and the deed may still be seen, signed by
Sagamore George, his sister Abigail, and Quannapoint. "In a
few weeks the first settlers had a comfortable cabin, and in two
years extensive fields of corn and wheat, with a young orchard
started" ("Recollections of Rev. Timothy Flint," p. 11). But
it was not until after long years that they had any manufacture
or much trade, for they were isolated and away from those set-
tlements that had better opportunities. There was exposure
to the Indians, and the internal conditions were such that there
was little education in schools. Indeed, the town was complained
of as late as 1680 for having "too poor a school." Although
such men as "Thomas Bancrofte" and "Captayne Marshall"
write a clear and legible hand, it was quite uncommon among
the townspeople, as the Registry of Deeds and the records in
the Probate Office for Middlesex County will show.
William ' Hooper is the person named as being absent from
home in 1675, "in a battle against the Indians in Middlesex
County." His name does not appear often in the county and
town records. It is shown, by the town books, that he was taxed
in 1642; was a member of the church in 1642-44. He receives
several "allottments" of land, — one of fifty acres in 1658, and
another of ten acres in that same year, on the " Woburn road."
In 1669 he sells his "now dwelling house in Redding" to Mrs.
Mary Hodgman, and the record to be found in Middlesex Deeds,
vol. 4, p. 331, is interesting as showing the form of an original
old deed, and in this case that the wife of William Hooper in
9
1669 was "Ruth Hooper," who relinquishes her right and title
in the estate: —
"Know all men by these p-'sents . yt I William Hooper of
Redding, in the County of Middlesex in New England for divers
causes and consideration moueing me Therearon to and espe-
cially for and in consideration of the sume of twenty six pounds
to me in hand paid by Mary hogman at or before the sealing
hereof whereof & wherewith I do Acknowledge myselfe fully sat-
isfied and contented and thereof and every part thereof do ex-
honorate aquit and discharge the afore said Mary hodgman her
heirs and executors and assigns forever and do by these presents
give grante bargaine enfoffe and confirme unto the said Mary
Hodgman my now dwelling house being sittewated in Redding
with fower acres of land thereunto adjoining, with the orchard
garden fencing thereunto belonging & is bounded on ye north
with ye High Waye and on the East w* The I.ande of Isaac
Harte and on ye South with ye Lande of Robert Burnap Junr
& on ye weste w*'' the Lande of Thomas Kendall To have and
to hold the said house & the fower acres of Lande be it more or
less with the orchard garden and fencing and every part and
parcell thereof as it is butted and bounded as above said. To
the propper use and behoofe of the aforesaid Mary hodgman
her heirs executors and assigns forever and furthermore the
said William Hooper do give grante assigne enfoffe the right
title claime or demand that euer that the said William Hooper
have or euer had in any of the said premises unto the said Mary
hodgman her heirs, executors or assigns or from any other per-
son or persons whatsoever Laying any title claim or interest
thereto by from or under me.
"7th d. 4th mo. 1669."
The names of the children of William * Hooper, taken from
the Reading records and Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, vol.
2, p. 450, "all bom in Redding. "
Whether "Ruth Hooper" was the mother of these children
(she was the mother of Thomas and John) does not appear: —
"Mary, b. 1647.
James, b. and d. 1649.
Susan, b. 1650.
Ruth, b. 1653.
10
Rebecca, b. 1656.
William, b. 1658.
Hannah, b. 1662.
Elizabeth, b. 1665.
Thomas, b. 1668.
John, b. 1670.
William^ Hooper, b. 1658; m. Susanna . He was a se-
lectman in Reading, and died in 1692. Of his children whose
births were recorded in Reading were William, Elizabeth, and
Ruth. Elizabeth m. Enoch Leonard, of Bridgewater, Mass., in
1707. Ruth m. John Bolton, of Bridgewater, 1710. Of the
children whose births were unrecorded were Susanna, who died
in Billerica, Mass., 1738. In her will she mentions "sisters Eliza-
beth Leonard and Ruth Bolton, of Bridgewater." The will of
Susanna Hooper is probated at East Cambridge, Mass. (Middle-
sex Wills, vol. 22, p. 783). Another child was John ^ Hooper,
whose birth is not recorded in Reading records. He m. and
settled in Bridgewater, Mass., before 1703. He became the
father of a numerous posterity, which is scattered throughout
New England and the West. (See Mitchell's History of Bridge-
water.)
William * Hooper died in Reading in 1679. The town rec-
ords show the following entry in their books : —
" 1679: died this day in 62d year of his life — William Hooper
— one of the first settlers in the town."
The burial was in the old cemetery which is described as "so
far from the church." It was ordered by the town in 1668
"to fence the grave yard with pine rayles." Rev. Jonathan
Pierpont, "a Godly and learned man," officiated at the funeral
services.
Mr. Hooper was survived by his widow Ruth and nine chil-
dren, with possibly others whose births were unrecorded.
Abstract from the last Will and Testament of William ^ Hooper,
made on this " ffifth day of August, 1678": —
" I give half my lands Upland and meddow to my wife during
her life. And the other half of my lands and meddow I give to
my son William and his heirs forever. And my will is that he
shall improve them all: And his mother to have halfe the profit
11
During her life. And at her discease He my son William to have
all my lands and meddow and Cattle: And to pay to my six
children that are unmarried ffive pounds apiece as they shall
come to age. But he shall not pay any for two years after my
discease. My will is that my two younger sons shall be with
their mother and my son William till they be fifteen years of age,
to be helpful to them. And then my will is that they may be
set to some Trade. And if any of them have a mind to be a
Weaver. Then I doo will him to have all my Loombs and all
my Tackling to them. And my household stuffs. I give it
all to my wife to be at her own Disposal. But if my wife should
marry. All my Lands and Cattle shall be my son Williams.
Only the household goods: to bee my wifes as willed. And
my will is that my brother Captayne Marshall and my cousin
Ensigne Bancrofte be my overseers to this my last will as above
s&id."— Middlesex Probate Records, 1679, 17, 4, vol. 5, p. 323.
To the Inventory of the estate "Captayne Marshall" signs his
name as Thomas Marshall, and "Ensigne Bancrofte as Thomas
Bancrofte."
On Nov. 10, 1684, " Ruth, widow of William ^ Hooper," becomes
the second wife of Thomas Dutton, of Billerica, Mass. (History
of Billerica, p. 45).
Some of the Maine Hoopers, (those of Biddeford), claim that
William^ Hooper was made a "freeman" in Biddeford in 1648.
There is no truth in this claim. He was a "freeman" in "Red-
ding" in 1648, and the records of the town show that he was
living there on this date. There is no official record in New
England to show that William Hooper ever lived elsewhere than
in "Redding."
SECOND GENERATION.
John 2 Hooper, b. in "Redding," Mass., 1670; m. Charity
Kay (sometimes recorded as Key or Keay) before 1701.
Her family name appears in the " Province of Mayne " rec-
ords before 1650. Her father was John Kay. (See Province
of Mayne Probate Records.) John Kay was a Scotchman.
The family came early into Maine, but how early cannot be
stated positively. The family surname appears frequently
in the court records of "ye old Province of Mayne," between
the years " 1636 to 1686." They may have come into Maine
at the time of the settlement of the Piscataqua, when " the
Laconia grant " was made to Sir Fernando Gorges. It is more
likely, however, as shown by the court records, that they
were one of those Scotch families who were " disaffected with
King Charles I.," and were complained of as "discontented
spirits, hostile to the government of the established church
who are now settHng on the grants made by the Plymouth
Company." It is many years since the name of Kay or
Keay has appeared in York County records.
The children of John^ and Charity Hooper, all born in Kittery,
afterward known as Berwick, and now known as South Berwick,
were : —
John, b. Jan. 14, 1701; d. 1802.
Samuel, 6. Feb. 17, 1704; d. 1705.
Charity, b. Jan. 17, 1707.
Samuel, b. April 9, 1709.
Mary, b. April 15, 1711.
Joseph, b. Jan. 27, 1713.
Noah, 6. and d. in Berwick, April 11, 1715.
Love, b. April 28, 1717.
William, b. April 26, 1719; bap. July 13, 1719.
Benjamin, b. Feb. 13, 1721; "dismissed to the church in Bidde-
ford. Me., July 28, 1743." He is the ancestor of the Bidde-
ford Hoopers; and some of his descendants are the Hoopers
13
of Charlestown, Mass., whose names are found in the early
records of that time. Benjamin Hooper was on the "com-
mittee of safety" in Biddeford, dur.ng the Revolution.
He was also a captain, during the Revolutionary War, of
one of the Biddeford companies; d. "1802, age 81."
Solomon, 6. Jan. 22, 1722; m. Bridget ; d. 1789.
The name of John ^ Hooper appears on the bond of Mrs. Su-
sanna Hooper, of "Redding," in the settlement of the estate
of "my late disceased husband William Hooper October 25,
1692" (Middlesex County Probate Records, vol. 8, p. 16).
The name of John Hooper appears again on the petition of
Mrs. Mary Taylor, of "Redding," Nov. 14, 1695, requesting that
her son, James Taylor, may be appointed administrator of the
estate of "my late disceased husband Thomas Taylor" (Mid-
dlesex County Probate Records, vol. 7, p. 333).
After 1695 we find no one bearing the surname of Hooper
remaining in " Redding." John Hooper probably left "Redding"
soon after this date. It may possibly be he whose name, "John
Hooper," appears in the records of the French and Indian Wars.
Also his elder brother Thomas (6. 1668), who is mentioned in
the father's will as one of "my two younger sons," may be the
same Thomas Hooper whose name is also connected with this
war.
The name of this brother Thomas ^ Hooper appears in Kittery
records for the first time April 7, 1696.
Quarterly sessions held at York, April 7, 1696.
"We present Thomas Hooper for not ffrequenting the pubhc
worship of God on ye Lords day" (Part II. Book 5, Fol. 8,
York Deeds).
March 5, 1697-98, Thomas Hooper sells to Henry Barter, of
Kittery, " 27 acres or more which was bequeathed unto sd Hoopers
wife, Elizabeth by Cap"* ffrancis Champernown Esq*" De*^'^ and
Since Delieuvd unto s*^ Hooper by Mrs. Mary Champernowne
Rehct and Executrix of ye Deed," etc. (York Deeds, Book VII.
FoHo 42).
"At a legal town meeting held at Kittery May 16, 1699:
Granted unto Thomas Hooper twenty acres of land provided
he improve it within one year."
14
"For ye year 1714: Paid Thomas Hooper £.5. by John Hooper
treasurer of Berwick, by the account presented by constable
Joseph Abbott" (Book I. p. 38, Berwick Town Records).
Kittery, Me., was incorporated as a town Oct. 20, 1647. At
this time her territory included all of the Berwicks'and Eliot
Berwick was set off from Kittery, and incorporated as a town
June 9, 1713.
John 2 Hooper, in 1704, bought land from James Emery.
His name had not appeared previous to this, in York Deeds
although in the Kittery town records it is shown that John and
Charity Hooper had a son, John, Jr., born in 1701. This land
of Hooper's purchased from Emery, in 1704, is described in
part as "a certain piece of land bounded on ye west by ye coun-
try road in Kittery, on ye north and south and east by Philip
Hubbards land, and is a part of Lot of Land on which my father
did bve, and is excepted out of it when he sold to Philip Hub-
bard, and lies opposite against ye south east corner of Philip
Hubbards orchard" (York Deeds, Book 7, Folio 1).
On Jan. 26, 1716, John Hooper bought the farm owned in
1704 by Philip Hubbard and Elizabeth Hubbard, his mother -
"50 acres of land be it more or less with ye barn, ye dwellino-
house orchard land and buildings" (York Deeds, Book 8, Folio
200). On this last date, 1716, he had a large farm.
At this point the writer wishes to consider the evidence which
seems to connect the John Hooper, of Kittery, Maine, with the
John Hooper born in "Redding," Mass., in 1670. It is nec-
essary to do this, because this claim has been questioned. The
party who has thus questioned and doubted was justified in
doing so. A genealogical chain is only as strong as its weakest
link. And when two separate families claim John^ Hooper of
"Redding" as their lineal ancestor, the one family living in Massa-
chusetts and the other in Maine, it makes a conservative mind
cautious about accepting as a fact, what had become only a
"tradition" with the Maine Hoopers,-that their lineal ancestor
John Hooper, of Kittery in 1701, was the son of William Hooper'
who came to New England in the "James" in 1635, and settled
"Redding," Mass. It is necessary to state that no "vital
statistics" has been discovered by the writer, or by any de-
15
ecendant of William ^ Hooper, which connects him with a John
Hooper, either in Massachusetts, or in Maine, after the
birth of tha son John, in Redding, Mass., in 1670. Among the
Massachusetts Hoopers there was not even this "tradition"
which the writer found among the Maine Hoopers when she
commenced these records. It would be confusing to introduce
the questions raised by the Massachusetts Hooper in his objections
to this claim made in Maine. The writer has been carefully
through all of the records of Plymouth County and Middlesex
County in Massachusetts, and of York County records in Maine,
and with the following results, which has confirmed her in a
belief that the "tradition" found in Maine is to be accepted as a
truth. Whether she is correct in her judgment is for the Hoopers
to decide. First, it is a self-evident fact that, if John^ Hooper left
" Redding" about 1695 (and his name disappeared from Middlesex
records in 1695), and there is no record of his death in Massachu-
setts, it was necessary for him to settle elsewhere. A John
Hooper is in the Kittery records in 1701. A search in the York
Country records in Maine, disclosed the fact that before this date,
1701, with the one exception of Thomas Hooper, no one bearing
this family surname had ever lived in York County. A further
search disclosed another fact: that the recorded ages of the
children born to Thomas Hooper and his wife, Ehzabeth (Small)
Hooper (these births are recorded in the years between 1693-
1705), make it possible that the father of these children was the
Thomas Hooper born in "Redding" in 1668. These records show
that those children were daughters. After all these long years it
will be impossible to decide what motives there were which led
Thomas and John Hooper to settle in Kittery. But the town
records of Berwick, Me., as already stated, show that Thomas
Hooper, together with John Hooper, were in the same town in
1714, — Berwick, Me. If it is true, that these two men — Thomas
and John Hooper — were brothers, and were in the same war to-
gether, it is clearly understood that in going into Maine and
Canada they probably travelled over "that lonely road that
runs close to the oceanside (to prevent a surprise from the Ind-
ians), and was from Boston to Portsmouth, New Hampshire."
They saw the mountain Agamenticus in the distance, and doubt-
lessly crossed the Piscataqua into Kittery. One fact is evident
in the records of York County, — that, if one cannot determine from
16
whence these two men came into Kittery, it is certain they both
found a wife there; for Elizabeth Small was in the family of Sir
Francis Champernowne, and, as already has been shown, John
Hooper's wife, Charity, was the daughter of John Kay, which
family had been long in the "Province of Mayne."
To the bond of Mrs. Susanna Hooper in " Redding," John
Hooper's signature appears in a writing that is clear and distinct.
He spells his name Hooper, and not "huper," "hopper," or
"hupper." In the early deeds, in York County, this name is
frequently written with a small h, and is "huper," "hoper," or
"Hupper." This fact was a very troublesome one to the writer,
for it was impossible to understand how the same person could
change the spelling of his own name inside of six years. A long
search failed to disclose the written signature of John Hooper in
York County. To be sure, John Hooper was for several years
town treasurer of Berwick, and it was hardly supposable that a
man holding such an office could not write his own name. Still,
the written signature could not be found, or any proof that he
did not change the writing of his name to "huper" after he went
into Maine. At last the writer discovered her own blunder.
She had been reading the deeds wherein John Hooper was the
grantee, and not the grantor. And thus the name had been written
by other parties. After a long time a deed was discovered which
bears the date 1721, in which John Hooper's name appears for
the first time as a grantor in York County. In this deed he
writes his name John Hooper, and names "my wife Charity."
With the aid of tracing paper, a copy of the two signatures of
John Hooper in Middlesex records was made, and, when com-
pared with the signature of John Hooper to the deed of 1721 in
York County, Maine, were found to be so very like as to leave
no doubt in the mind of the compiler of these records that the
three signatures were written by the same hand. Before introducing
this deed as evidence, the writer will again refer to the "tradition"
in Maine. It is to be remembered that of John ^ Hooper's children
three sons, John, b. 1701, lived until 1802; William, b. 1719
d. in Berwick, 1809; Benjamin, b. 1721, d. in Biddeford, 1802'
Their father died in Berwick in 1761. You will note that the
birth of one son, John, Jr., covers a century. If you think care-
fully, you will find it hard to believe that these three sons did not
know the birthplace of their own father; further, that it will be
17
equally hard to believe that they never heard the Christian name
of their grandfather Hooper, and never learned where he lived
and died. Admit this much, and it is easily understood what
foundation the Maine Hoopers have for the statement that they
are descended from William^ Hooper, of ''Redding."
It is well for the Maine Hoopers to have a record of this deed :
" To all People to whom these presents shall Come John Hooper
of ye town of Barwick in ye County of York in his Majestyes
Province of ye Malsachusetts Bay in New England Cordwainer
& Charity ye wife of s^ John Hooper sendeth Greeting. Know
ye for divers good causes us hereunto moving & more Espe-
cially for & in Consideration of ye full and whole sum of One
hundred and Thirty pounds Current money of New England
to us in hand well and truly paid before ye signing and sealing
of these presents by Daniel Stone of ye town of Barwick afores^
Cordwainer ye Rect thereof we do acknowledge ourselves fully
Sattisfyed Contented & paid for every part, have given granted
Bargained & Sold & do by these presents for ourselves onr
heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns forever fully &
freely & absolutely give grant Bargain Sell aleine enfieffe as-
sign Convey pass over & Confirm unto him ye fores^ Daniel
Stone & to his heirs Executors administrators and assigns
forever a Certain peece or tract of land Containing Three Quar-
ters of One acre & Eleven Rods thereabouts lying between
and Situate in ye town of Barwick afors^ with ye Dwelling-house
Barn outhouses & orchards & fences & fencing Stuff & all
whatsoever Standing Lying or growing in or upon s^ land
being butted & bounded as Followeth," etc.
"In witness whereof we ye fores^ John Hooper and Charity
his wife have hereunto set sett our hands & Seals this fourth
day of December Anno Domini one Thousand Seven Hundred
and twenty one & in ye eighth year of King George reign," etc.
JOHN HOOPER O
CHARITY HOOPER her mark ^
Signed Sealed &
Delivered in the pres-
ence of us
James Warren
Moses Goodwin his mark X
Thomas Abbott his mark X
York fs Dec. 27, 1721.
18
The above named John Hooper & Charity his wife Came
before me & acknowledged ye above written Instrument to
be their free act and deed
Charles ffrost Jus Feace
Recorded according to ye originall Dec^ 27^^^ 1721
p Abram Preble Reg''."
(York Deeds, Book X. Folio 234.)
John Hooper was on the building committee of the little church
in Kittery in 1704. He succeeded Mr. Philip Hubbard as town
clerk and treasurer in 1712, and continued in office until 1730.
He was made a deacon of the First Congregational Church in
1721. He was active in county and town affairs,— a selectman,
moderator at town meetings, and often one of the grand jurors.
The county records show that he was appointed to settle disputes
"out of court"; and his name appears more frequently than
that of any other man in York County, in the settlement of
estates. He died in 1761. The date of the death of his wife
Charity is not known; but, as she is not mentioned in her hus-
band's will, it is probable that she had already died. They are
buried on their farm at " Old Fields," Berwick, now owned by
Mr. Isaac Libbey, a lineal descendant.
The Will of John Hooper.
"In the name of God Amen: I, John Hooper of Berwick,
in the County of York, within ye Province of ye Massachusetts
Bay, in New England, cordwainer, being aged and infirm of
body, but of sound mind and memory, expecting the time to
be near that I must die, and to prevent difference in my family
about my estate do make and ordain this my last Will and Tes-
tament. Resigning my soul into the hands of God my Creator
in Christ my redeemer, and my body to a decent Christian burial
as my executor shall think most convenient, hoping for a res-
urection among the Just.
"What estate it has pleased God to bless me with in this life,
I give, devise and bequeath and dispose of the same in the fol-
lowing manner. yi2.-— First my will is that all my just and
honest debts be well and truly paid by my son Solomon Hooper,
who I appoint sole executor of this my last Will and testament.
19
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John Hooper 13
pounds five shillings and eight pence lawful money, or an equiva-
lent thereto of Good vendable lumber of that value at money
price, to be paid by my son Solomon Hooper, my executor,
m one year after my discease, at some convenient landing place
m Berwick aforesaid without interest. I also give my son John
one half of all my common rights undevided in Berwick.
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Hooper
9 pounds six shillings and eight pence lawful money or an equiv-
alent thereto in cattle or good vendable lumber of that value
at money price to be paid by my son Solomon Hooper, my exec-
utor, in one years time, after my discease, at some convenient
landing place, in said Berwick without interest.
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my sons William and Ben-
jamin, to each of them, nine pounds, six shillings and eight pence
lawful money or an equivalent in good vendable lumber, to that
value at money price at some convenient landing place in Ber-
wick within one year after my discease, said sum to be paid to
each of them said William and Benjamin by my son Solomon
my executor.
"Item: If any of my said sons John, Samuel, Benjamin, Will-
iam, or either of them shall die before their respective legacies
above mentioned shall become due, the same shall be paid to
their respective heirs, or lawful representatives and all without
interest if within one year after my discease.
" Item : My three daughters namely Charity Key, Mary Shorey
and Love Sprague having already had what I intended to give
each of them for their portion, my will is that my son Solomon
pay to each of them the said Charity, Mary and Love his sisters
five shillings lawful money out of my estate which shall be in
full of their portion of the same.
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Solomon Hooper
and his heirs and assigns forever all of my house and land where
I now live in Berwick: tillage lands, mowing lands, pasture lands,
woodlands, marshes, meadows, and one half part of all my com-
mon rights devided and undevided, and all the residue of my
estate real and personal in Berwick. And in any and every
place and places whatsoever and wheresomever, money, goods
and chatels of every sort and kind; debts, dues and demands
be the same more or less, my said son Solomon paying all
20
debts and legacies in this my will mentioned and ordained to
be paid.
"Lastly: I hereby revoke and disallow every other former
will and wills, testament, legacies and bequests, by me in any
manner before this made by word or writing. Ratifying and
allowing this and no other to be my last will and testament.
"In witness whereof, I the said John Hooper hereunto set
my hand and seal the 22d day of May 1756."
Signed sealed and wit-
nessed, pronounced and
declared by the said
John Hooper to be his
last will and testament
in the presence of us.
Thomas Goodwin.
Walter Abbott.
Joseph Hubbard
David Goodwin
Noah Emery
JOHN HOOPER his mark X."
Recorded from the original
Samuel Frost register.
Probated 7th day of January 1762.
Will recorded in Probate Office York Co.
Vol. 10, p. 274.
Letter administration and Inventory p.
274, 275. Vol. 10.
THIRD GENERATION.
William Hooper, b. at "Old Fields," Berwick, April 29, 1719;
m. Oct. 29, 1743, Elizabeth Emery, b. at "Old Fileds," Sept. 24,'
1725. She was the daughter of Elder Daniel* Emery and Mrs.
Mary (Lord) Hodgdon. The line of Elizabeth Emery's ancestors
is as follows: —
Anthony Emery, second son of John and Agnes Emery,
was b. in Romsey, Hants, England; m. Frances . He
came to America in 1635. He was in Dover, N.H., about
1640, and October 22 of that same year he signed the
" Dover Combination." He kept an ordinary at Dover Neck.
He removed to Kittery, Me., in 1649. He was juryman
several times, selectman 1652, 1659, and constable. At four
different times he received grants of land from the town.
He was one of the forty-one inhabitants of Kittery who
acknowledged themselves subject to the government of
"Massachusetts Bay, Nov. 16, 1652." In 1656 he was fined
£5 for mutinous courage in questioning the authority of the
court of Kittery, and in 1660 again fined for entertaining
Quakers. In 1660 he ^d his house and all his lands to
his son James, and moved with his wife to Portsmouth, R.I.
(The writer has seen the record of the above deed.) Anthony
Emery w^as made a "freeman" in Portsmouth, Sept. 29,
1660. He served as juryman on several occasions, was chosen
constable June 4, 1666, and deputy to the General Court,
April 25, 1672. There is no record of his death or place of
burial.
James ^ Emery came to America with his father in 1635; m.
first Elizabeth (she d. after 1687); w. second, Elizabeth
Pidge, of Dedham, Mass (Dedham Records, p. 27). James
Emery had grants of land in Kittery, 1674, 1676, 1677,
1684, 1685, 1692, 1693, 1695; elected representative to the
General Court, 1693, 1695; grand juror and constable, 1670;
d. 1705. It is related that when he went to Boston his car-
riage was a chair placed on an ox-cart drawn by a yoke of
22
steers, as there was not a carriage in Kittery strong enough
to carry him. He was a large man, weighing three hundred
and fifty pounds.
DanieP Emery was b. in Kitterj^ Nov. 15, 1678; m. March
17, 1G95, j\Iarg>rett Gowen (her mother was Ehzabeth Frost,
daughter of Nicholas ffrost, and her uncle Charles ffrost
was one of the first "Chief Justices" appointed in "ye old
Province of Mayne." He was a very distinguished man, as
shown by public records).
Daniel ^ Emery was a noted land surveyor in York County.
He was appointed by the General Court to mark the line
between the common rights of Berwick and Kittery, and to
mark the division between Kittery and Berwick. He was
one of the "foundation members" of the Congregational
Church, and was chosen elder Nov. 11, 1720. He died in
Berwick, Oct. 15, 1722. Will was probated Nov. 8, 1722.
His wife Margerett (Gowen) Emery d. in Berwick Nov. 21,
1751.
Elder Daniel^ Emery, b. June 25, 1697; m. June 16, 1720,
Mrs. Mary (Lord) Hodgdon. He d. September, 1779. Will
probated Oct. 4, 1779. His sixth child, Ehzabeth Emery, m.
William^ Hooper.
The children of William ' and Elizabeth (Emery) Hooper were:
Daniel, b. 1744; m. Sept. 24, I'Zj^ Hannah Heard, and settled
in Lebanon, Me., where he d. March 24, 1820. He was a soldier
in the Revolutionary War, and served in a New Hampshire
company (see Military Rolls of New Hampshire).
William, b. 1746; bap. 1746; m. June 21, 1770, Mary Lord,
daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Davis) Lord.
Elizabeth, bap. July 28, 1751; d. young.
Noah, bap. Nov. 15, 1755. A soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Elizabeth, bap. Sept. 13, 1761; ni. Sept. 13, 1779, Tristram Heard.
He was in the same New Hampshire company with Daniel
Hooper, who afterwards became his brother-in-law.
John* bap. July 25, 1761; m. May 11, 1784, Elizabeth Plaisted;
m., second, Mrs. Jane Wood. He was the father of fifteen
children. He lived after 1796 on the William^ Hooper farm
in Berwick. Pie d. in the home of his unmarried daughter
in Dover, N.H., March 8, 1844. His eldest child was Frances
23
Hooper, who married James Lord. Of their children, William
F. Lord, born May 17, 1819, was well known as the historian
of Berwick; and to his daughter, Mrs. Frances Hooper
Moore, the writer is indebted for assistance in her researches
in Berwick. Another descendant of John Hooper is Mrs.
Anna M. McCoy, of New York City.
John* Hooper's son, John^ Hooper, m. Caroline Cushing, and
lived on "Mast Road," Dover, N.H. Among his grand-
children are Dr. Fred Hooper Hayes and Mr. Frank Hooper,
of Dover, N.H.
Mary, b. March 29, 1764; m. Love Keay.
Sarah, bap. May 14, 1767; m. June 29, 1790, Rev. Joshua Roberts.
Martha, bap. May 14, 1767; m. Richard Hovey.
James, b. Dec. 17, 1769; bap. Feb. 5, 1772; m. Sally Merrill,
of New Gloucester (she d. January, 1802); m., second, Mrs.
Elizabeth Hubbard. He had two children by his first
marriage, both of whom died in 1805.
Mr. Hooper became the first settled minister of the town
of Paris, Me. He was ordained in 1795, and the ordination
services were held in a barn. His brother, Rev. William
Hooper, of Berwick, preached the ordination sermon. He
occupied the position as "first minister of the town of Paris"
until his death in 1842. Mr. Hooper represented the town
of Paris in the legislature several times, and was on the
committee in the convention in Brunswick to frame the
State Constitution. His nephew, George Plaisted Hooper,
lived with him, and had charge of his farm. He died, leav-
ing no descendants.
The History of Paris, Me., gives a full account of Rev.
James Hooper.
"William 3 Hooper died in Berwick, Me., July 26, 1809, in
ninety-first year of his age; his widow, Elizabeth (Emery)
Hooper died January, 1812, age eighty-seven" (Berwick Town
Records).
On April 30, 1744, William ^ Hooper bought from Thomas
Wooster a tract of land, "five acres more or less," which was
in the north parish, five miles north of the homestead of his
father. It was "bounded southerly by the common way lead-
ing from Great Falls to Salmon Falls road, westerly by land of
24
Joshua Roberts, and easterly by land of Moses Nock," etc. (York
Deeds, vol. 25, pp. 66, 67).
This deed describes the land on which William Hooper built
his house in 1744-45. It is still standing, and is in good condi-
tion. In this house the children of William and Elizabeth (Emery)
Hooper were born, with the possible exception of Daniel, the
eldest. Across the road he built a tannery and shoe-shop, and
he is described in York Deeds as a "Cordwainer."
In 1746-47 William Hooper was a private in George Berry's
company. Sergeant James Tuttle in command.
Mr. Hooper, with his family, worshipped until 1766, in the
South Parish, in the church of his childhood, where his wife's
father was ruling elder, and his own father was a deacon. In
this church all of his children were christened. It is a tradi-
tion in the family that in pleasant weather they walked to the
church, a distance of five miles; and, when the snow was too
deep, they were taken on an ox-sled. When Mr. Hooper built
his house, his farm was surrounded by Indians, with whom he
always lived on friendly terms.
On April 16, 1766, Mr. Hooper connected himself with the
"Blackberry Hill meeting-house." It was in the north part of
the town, at a distance of about three miles from the William
Hooper farm. His neighbor and friend was the learned Mathew
Merriam. This church was Congregational, as was the one in
the "South parish," Berwick.
"April 1766: admitted to this church William Hooper, and
wife Elizabeth Hooper: also Elizabeth wife of the minister,
Mathew Merriam pastor."
In 1775 the little meeting-house at Blackberry Hill became
divided on "the validity of infant baptism." Mr. William Hooper
was one of those who insisted upon "immersion as the only form
of baptism." He was with the less powerful in the church,
but was evidently a leader in the opposition. This disaffection
culminated finally, so far as Mr. Hooper was concerned, in 1782,
as shown by the following votes : —
"1782, January: Voted: that a committee be appointed to
wait upon Mr. William Hooper to learn his reasons for absenting
himself from church.
"Mathew Merriam pastor."
25
The committee waited upon Mr. Hooper, and reported: —
"April 1782: The committee above mentioned made a report
that Mr. William Hooper gave as a reason for absenting himself
from church that he had scruples against infant baptism: also
that he thought the church was too arbitrary in admitting mem-
bers; that the officers of the church managed it too much them-
selves; therefore voted to wait upon him in hopes that his scruples
may be removed.
"Mathew Merriam pastor."
Mr. Hooper's name does not appear again in the church records.
These Blackberry Hill Meeting-house records are interesting,
as giving one an accurate knowledge of the lives of the different
families in the church. A woman was suspended as a commu-
nicant because she was "a common news-monger," another
was a '-'scold," and still another one, a man, was prohibited
from church attendance "until he keeps sober," etc. The two
ruling elders were very arbitrary in action and narrow of vision.
As you read the records, you feel quite certain they worshipped
themselves a little more than they did their Maker. They had
the same jealousies, the same petty minds, in church matters
that one finds in later generations.
Mr. Hooper's name appears frequently as one of the grand
jurymen for York County. He is selectman nearly all of those
years from 1761-84. In the year 1776 his name disappears
from the Board of Selectmen. He was serving during this year,
as a private, in Captain William Pearson's company. "Enlisted
Jan. 24, 1776; service to Aug. 31, 1776, 7 mo. 7 days; also, 2d
Corporal same co.; service from Sept. 1, 1776 to Nov. 18,
1776; company stationed for defence of sea coast."
In the records of the town of Berwick (p. 299), one may read
this warrant for a town meeting, which is of interest to the Will-
iam^ Hooper descendants: —
"Likewise to see what methods the town will take to get pay
of the people for powder they received in the year 1775-1776.
Also: to see if the town will give the selectmen any instruction
respecting taxing Mr. William Hooper for this year and the year
1776." It is possible that Mr. Hooper's activity, as a member
of the Board of Selectmen in getting men to enlist and devising
means to carry on the war, then his own enlistment for 1776,
26
together with his age, made him an object of special favor in
the abatement of his taxes. No other name appears on the town
records for a like favor. Mr. Hooper was always named in all
the pubhc records "Mr. AVilliam Hooper," and his son William,
as "Jr.; Elder; or Rev. William."
Berwick, during the Revolutionary period, was a scattered
settlement, composed entirely of farms. They were isolated,
and were exposed to peculiar dangers during this period. The
town meetings, held alternately at the south and north end of
the town, at the hour of one o'clock in the afternoon, were most
fully represented by the inhabitants. A few lines from the town
records are worth presenting in connection with the name of
William Hooper, who was frequently the moderator at these
meetings, and, as has been shown, he was at this time a member
of the Board of Selectmen.
"Berwick, May 31, 1774.
"To the Honorable, the Delegates of the Colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay in Provincial Congress at Watertown convened:
The petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the town of
Berwick, in the County of York in town meeting convened humbly
showeth: That the harbors of York and Kittery, within the said
county, lie open to our now known enemies, and the lives and
properties of the inhabitants thereof and the neighboring Towns
along the sea coast exposed to the ravages and depredations of
the Enemy and the remaining part of the inhabitants of this and
the neighboring Towns labor under the disagreeable for a scant
of arms and amunition, of being unable to defend themselves,
their wives and children and properties should a descent be
made by the Kings troups on this coast, which they have the
greatest reason to fear, will inevitably be the cost. Your pe-
titioners humbly pray this Honorable House in their great wis-
dom to take the premises into consideration and that they will
despatch one or more of the companies in the services of the
Colony in order to guard and defend the coast, and enable them
by raising more troops in the service of the Colony in some meas-
ure to defend themselves."
"We acknowledge and profess faithful allegiance to our faith-
ful sovereign. King George the Third, and are willing at all times
27
to risk our lives and our fortunes in defence of his person and his
family, but at the same time must earnestly insist for those
rights and liberties we are entitled to by the laws of God, Nature
and the Constitution of the Province. Therefore, Resolved: That
no power on earth has any just right to impose taxes upon us
but the Great and General Court of this Province, and all others
are unconstitutional and not to be submitted to," etc. Berwick,
May 31, 1774.
"York ss. In full meeting warned for the purpose and holden
to instruct the Representative of this town of Berwick, resolved :
that should the Honorable Congress for the safety of the Colonies
declare themselves independent of Great Britian, we the inhab-
itants of said town will solemly engage with our lives and our
fortunes to support them in the measures and will use every
honorable means to further the cause of independence."
It is claimed by some of the descendants of WilHam^ Hooper
that he left his farm to his son John^, by V> ill. But the Probate
Records of York County show that William Hooper left no will.
His farm was disposed of in the following deed:—
"I William Hooper, cordwainer," etc., "town of Berwick,
county of York," etc., "to John Hooper Junr, his heirs and
assigns forever: all the homestead, barn, wherein I now do dwell,
in Berwick aforesaid, containing seventy acres more or less
bounded easterly by Salmon Falls road, leading from Quam-
phegan to Pine Hill, and partly by land of Samuel Colley, southerly
by Salmon Falls river and northerly by land of Joshua Roberts,
and part or partly by land of Moses Nock: Also one other tract
of land containing five acres more or less, bounded southerly
by the common way leading from Great Falls to Salmon Falls
road, westerly by land of Joshua Roberts, and easterly by land
of Moses Nock, to have and to hold," etc.
Acknowledged before,
Thomas Wentworth.
June 29, 1796.
Recorded in York Deeds, Book 60, p. 5.
The wife, Elizabeth, does not sign this deed. It is probable
that "John Hooper Junr" was the son of William^ Hooper.
28
His descendants, who have always lived in Berwick, claim him
as such. The York deeds have many records wherein one party
will name himself Jr. to a father who has a Christian name en-
tirely different from his own.
This deed, by its boundaries, clearly describes the farm of
William ^ Hooper. Here he and his wife E izabclh passed their
married life, and they both are buried on Hooper's Hill, on the
farm. Recently the graves have been enclosed, and a simple
monument has been erected to perpetuate their names. A
tablet has also been erected in memory of John ^ and Charity
Hooper, who are buried at "Old Fields," South Berwick.
FOURTH GENERATION.
William^ Hooper, h. in Berwick, Me., 1746; m. June 21,
1770, Mary Lord.
Mary Lord was the only daughter of Deacon Abraham and
Elizabeth (Davis) Lord. She was born, as were her six
brothers (five of whom became Baptist ministers), in the old
Garrison House which stood until lately on the Richard Tozer
farm in Berwick, Me. Richard Tozer was killed by the
Indians, Oct. 16, 1675. His daughter, Martha Tozer, married
Nathan Lord, Jr. Their son. Captain Samuel Lord (the
father of Deacon Abraham Lord) married in Kittery, Me.,
Oct. 19, 1710, Martha Wentworth, daughter of PauP Went-
worth, of Dover, N.H. Mary (Lord) Hooper d. in Madbury,
N.H., Jan. 7, 1826, "aged 84."
Rev. Wilham Hooper m. (second) Mrs. Sarah Demeritt. He
d. January, 1827, "aged 80 yrs"; and both he and his first
wife (Mary) are buried on the Rev. William Hooper farm
in Madbury, N.H. Headstones mark their graves, and
the records of the deaths may be found in the Strafford
County Gazette printed at that time.
Children of Rev. William and Mary (Lord) Hooper were: —
Mary, b. March 27, 1771, in Berwick, Me.; m. by her father in
Madbury, N.H., Nov. 9, 1800, to David Hill, of Durham.
She was living in 1827, as the settlement of her father's
estate will prove.
Ehzabeth, b. 1773, in Berwick; d. in Madbury, Nov. 7, 1818.
Noah, b. Oct. 9, 1776, in Berwick; m. by his father, June 23,
1796, to Elizabeth Kelley, of Durham. He was a Baptist
minister, settled in Dover, N.H., in Belfast, Me., and in
other places. He d. in Berwick, Me., 1854, and is buried
with his wife in the Lord Cemetery in Berwick. He had
a large family. Of these children Noah Hooper, Jr., b.
Nov. 11, 1806, was a Baptist minister; settled for many
30
years in Exeter, N.H., where he d. in 1896. Joseph, 6.
Nov. 5, 1818; m. Helen Maria Wallingford; d. in Port-
land, Ore., April 4, 1854.
John, b. July 4, 1778, in Berwick, Me.; m. by his father. Rev.
William Hooper, Jan. 22, 1799, to Susan Meserve, of Dur-
ham, N.H. (Old Madbury Town Records, Book 2, p. 44).
James, h. 1780; d. in Paris, Me., June 6, 1849. He is buried
in the tomb with his uncle, Rev. James Hooper, whose name
he bore.
Sarah, h. 1782; m. by her father, July 17, 1802, to Chesley,
of Durham, N.H.; d. in Madbury, 1818; is buried beside
her father and mother. There is a very large family of
Chesley descendants.
Samuel Lord, h. 1785, in Madbury, N.H.; m. March 12, 1807,
Polly Clark, of Berwick, Me.; d. in Madbury, Sept. 19,
1807. Son, Samuel, h. in Madbury, 1807; d. in Berwick,
Me., April 3, 1831. The record of deaths of Samuel L.,
and Samuel, his son, are taken from the headstones.
In this burial lot, on the Rev. William Hooper farm, are the
graves of Rev. William and wife Mary, daughter Elizabeth,
and Mrs. Chesley, the son John Hooper, and Samuel L. and
grandson Samuel.
The widow of Samuel L. Hooper became the wife of Ebenezer
Meserve, of Dover, N.H., before 1831.
Rev. William Hooper was ordained as "the first Baptist min-
ister in the State of Maine, April, 1776." At this time he was
thirty years of age. He had been married for six years. He
was christened, 1746, in the Congregational church, in which
church his grandfather, John ^ Hooper, was deacon. What
reasons there were for his change in faith does not now ap-
pear. It is probable that he settled soon after his mar-
riage at "Old Fields." There is the tradition in the family,
that his father William^ Hooper built a house for him,
next to his own, on Hooper Hill; but there is no record
which verifies the statement. The name of William Hooper,
Jr., does not appear in connection with any deed before
1778, and then, in the State of New Hampshire. When
William 3 Hooper sells his "homestead" to John Hooper,
Jr., in 1796, no mention of any other house is made in con-
31
nection with the property. The two houses that were built
on the WilHam Hooper farm, were probably built after
1796.
The little church in which William Hooper was ordained
"stood on land adjoining John ^ Hooper's house." There was
also a parsonage next to the little church which was occupied
by the minister. A record of the "Early churches of Berwick"
gives a description of this church and parsonage. The ordina-
tion sermon of William Hooper was given by Rev. Hezekiah
Smith, of Haverhill, assisted by Dr. Samuel Shepard. It is
evident that Mr. Hooper had a respectable following into the
Baptist faith, as shown by town records (Book 2, p. 313) : —
"This is to certify to the assessors of the South Parish that
Jeremiah Wise, Jonathan Abbott, Joshua Abbott, Elisha Grant,
Stephen Nason, Thomas Goodwin, 3d, Theophulus Abbott,
Jacob Nason, James Grant attend worship (public) with the
Baptist Society in this town on the Lords days.
"WILLIAM HOOPER ELDER."
May 21, 1778.
Recorded by
Nahum Marshall,
Town Clerk.
There are other town records showing admittance to this
Baptist church.
In the "South Parish" of Berwick were born all of the chil-
dren of Rev. William Hooper, with the possible exception of
James, Sarah, and Samuel L.
After his ordination Mr. Hooper devoted the remainder of his
life to establishing Baptist churches in Maine and New Hamp-
shire. While he appears in the records as "of Berwick and
Madbury," he not only had the control of these churches for a
long number of years, but, as the records of the Baptist denomi-
nation will show, he was a constant preacher in conferences
and churches elsewhere. He was not a learned man in the sense
with which we speak of learning, at the present time; but he
lived with the companionship of the strongest men intellectually
in the two States of Maine and New Hampshire. He has been
described by those who knew him as "like a steam-engine, with
tremendous force and energy. He would walk long distances
32
through unbroken paths to help struggling churches. He rode
in the saddle as he grew older," and "never failed to keep an
appointment of any kind." His most marked feature was his
mouth, which showed great firmness and decision of character.
He had great gentleness and tenderness with children. He was
something above the average in height, but in his old age leaned
heavily on a cane."
Rev. William Hooper was assessor for the "South Parish"
in Berwick for the years 1775-77 (Town Records, pp. 225-228).
David Benedict, in his "Baptist Denomination in America"
(1820), p. 152, says:—
"Dr. Shepard and Rev. Wilham Hooper, of Berwick, now of
Madbury, were the principal promoters of the New Hampshire
Baptist Association."
The town records of Berwick show that Rev. William Hooper
united many persons in marriage, while the town records of Mad-
bury show that from 1778 until 1820 he performed the mar-
riage ceremony in some families for two generations; and many
came to him from the adjoining towns of Dover and Durham.
Of course, he came close to all these families in their affliction.
One can never approach the Revolutionary period without
a feeling of great sadness in recalling the great loss of life in
those small communities, the poverty and suffering of the
people, and the courage and patience and heroism with which
they met everything during those long years of privation and
hardships. Rev. William Hooper is described as addressing
town meetings in the two counties of York and Strafford, speak-
ing to the people in barns, and travelling long distances from
farm to farm, all in the cause of independence, and urging men
to enlist. The women and old men and the children left at
home are described in The Town Book of Berwick as melting
all their pewter into bullets. These women ploughed the land
and planted the corn. In this Old Town Book may be found
the military service of Rev. William Hooper. He enlisted in
the year 1780, and "served 3 mos. at West Point; 3 mos. at
Falmouth; in Capt. Jonathan Hamilton's company." He
was probably a chaplain, although it is not so stated; but par-
ties at the State House in Boston, who have charge of the mili-
tary archives in which are kept the records of the Revolutionary
33
soldiers, believe this to be so, because "it would be hard to think
of such a man serving in the ranks." The tradition that he was
a chaplain is probably true.
On April 27, 1778, William Hooper, of Berwick, receives from
John Roberts, of Madbury, N.H., a deed showing purchase of
thirty-nine and one-half acres of land from Roberts. For this
land he pays £630 (Strafford County Deeds, Book 3, p. 124).
This deed describes the land on which in 1780-81 William
Hooper made his home. The house has been burned, but the
cellar remains. In the opposite field are the Hooper graves. It
was once a part of "ancient Dover." This first purchase of
land was added to from time to time, until in 1827 (as shown by
the inventory to the estate) it included one hundred acres. The
farm is now owned by Mr. James H. Dailey, and is the finest
within the boundaries of the town.
The Madbury town records of Dec. 22, 1777, has the following : —
"Voted: that we are willing that Rev. William Hooper shall
preach the Gospel to us" (Book 1, p. 104).
The above is the date on which his name appears, for the first
time, on the Madbury records, and the following is the date of
the first marriage in Madbury at which he officiated, "Dec. 15,
1778."
It is probable that Rev. William Hooper commenced his
Baptist missionary work in Madbury by preaching in private
houses, or possibly in barns, about the time of the record, 1777.
"1780: Dec. Voted that we build a gallery and put seats
in the town house for the preaching of Rev. William Hooper."
Mr. Hooper did something besides preaching to the people
of Madbury and Durham. He was moderator at many of the
town meetings after 1781; was a selectman, and served on the
most important committees appointed by the town.
"At a legal town meeting held in the Parish house Jan. 4,
1781 :—
"Voted: to choose a committee and the committee to con-
sist of 7 to examine the proposed form of Government for New
Hampshire: Reverend William Hooper is of this committee."
"At a town meeting held Nov. 5, 1782, Rev. William Hooper
is chosen chairman of the committee to examine and report on
the proposed form of Government for New Hampshire."
"At a legal town meeting at Madbury Aug. 8, 1791, voted; —
J > 3
34
The Reverend William Hooper a delegate to join the Committee
at Concord to revise the Constitution of sd State, and to correct
any violation thereof, and to make such alterations therein as
by experience may be found necessary. John Demeritt Town
clerk." — Madbunj Town Records.
Rev. William Hooper was sent as the delegate from Madbury,
N.H., to the convention of delegates that met in Exeter, N.H.,
Feb. 13, 1789, to investigate, discuss, and decide whether the
Federal Constitution of the United States should be accepted
by the State of New Hampshire. It had already received the
approval of six States, — Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
"The Convention was a notable body of men. It was com-
posed of men who had been the leading spirits in the state dur-
ing the Revolutionary epoch, men for the most part of marked
ability and commanding talents. Among these delegates was
Gov. John Sullivan of Durham, John Langdon and John Pick-
ering of Portsmouth, Josiah Bartlett of Kingston, Rev. Will-
iam Hooper of Madbury, John Taylor Gilman of Exeter and
Dr. Ezra Green of Dover; the Convention was held in the Court
House; Gov. John Sullivan was chosen President and John
Calfe secretary."
As in Massachusetts, the delegates from the smaller towns
in New Hampshire were strongly anti-Federalists. Many of
them came to Exeter instructed by their constituents to vote
against the Constitution. The discussion of the instrument
throughout the country was at its height. The leading defender
of the Constitution was Governor John Sullivan, and with him
were the two Langdons, John and Samuel Livermore, Josiah
Bartlett, John Pickering, John Taylor Gilman, and Benjamin
Bellows.
The leaders of the opposition, — Joseph Badger, Rev. Will-
iam Hooper, Joshua Atherton, Abial Parker, and Jonathan
Dow, — although men with less intellectual training, as the de-
bate progressed, had the advantage of the larger following.
Very little is known concerning the detailed proceedings of the
convention, since its journal gives but a most meagre account
of its work, and the deliberations and debates were unfortunately
never reported. The opponents of the Constitution repro-
duced the objections which had just been urged in Massachu-
35
setts. They complained of the absence of a religious test. They
denounced the twenty years' sufferance of the foreign slave
trade. SulHvan, Langdon, Livermore, explained and defended,
but they wished to avoid a vote, fearing rejection of the Con-
stitution. So, after a seven days' session, an adjournment
was secured for the purpose of giving the delegates an oppor-
tunity to confer with their constituents. The place of meeting
was changed from Exeter to Concord, and the time for meet-
ing was fixed for the third Wednesday in June.
"The failure of New Hampshire to ratify was the first serious
check the Constitution had met with, and its friends, as the
news travelled westward and southward, were much depressed."
Washington had voiced the general feeling of the friends of
the Constitution, when he wrote to General Knox from Mount
Vernon, under date of March 30: "The conduct of the state of
New Hampshire has baffled all calculation, and has come ex-
tremely malapropos for a favorable decision on the proposed
constitution in this state; for, be the real cause of the late ad-
journment what it may, the Anti-Federal party with us do not
scruple to pronounce that it was done to await the issue of this
convention before it would decide, and add, that, if this state
should reject it, all those who are to follow will do the same,
and consequently it cannot obtain, as there will be only eight
states in favor of the measure. Had it not been for this untoward
event the opposition would have proved entirely unavailing
in this state, notwithstanding the unfair (I might without much
impropriety made use of a harsher expression) conduct, which
has been practised to rouse the fears and to inflame the minds
of the people." To John Langdon he wrote in a similar vein
three days later, as follows: "Circumstanced as your conven-
tion was, an adjournment was certainly prudent, but it has hap-
pened very malapropos for this state, because the concurrent
information from that quarter [New Hampshire] would have
justified the expectation of a unanimity in the convention."
" It is easy to see that the action of New Hampshire was awaited
with intense interest by the whole country. No one felt a greater
anxiety as to the result than Alexander Hamilton, as the fol-
lowing letter of his, published for the first time in Lodge's re-
cent edition of Hamilton's Works, indicates: —
36
New York, June 6, 1788.
To John Sullivan, Esquire,
President of the State of New Hampshire.
Dear Sir: You will no doubt have understood that the anti-
federal party has prevailed in this state by a large majority.
It is therefore of the utmost importance that all external cir-
cumstances should be made use of to influence their conduct.
This will suggest to you the great advantage of a speedy decision
in your state, if you can be sure of the question, and a prompt
communication of the event to us. With this view, permit me
to request that the instant you have taken a decisive vote in
favor of the constitution, you send an express to me at Pough-
keepsie. Let him take the shortest route to that place, change
horses on the road, and use all possible diligence. I shall with
pleasure defray all expenses, and give a liberal reward to the
person. As I suspect an effort will be made to precipitate us,
all possible safe dispatch on your part, as well to obtain a deci-
sion as to communicate the intelligence of it, will be desirable.
"This letter of Hamilton's very likely had its inflence in has-
tening the decision of the New Hampshire convention.
"It met at Concord on Wednesday, the 18th of June, in the
Old North Meeting-house. Four days served for the discus-
sion of the constitution, for the preparation and recommenda-
tion of twelve articles of amendment."
"The Constitution was adopted by the New Hampshire dele-
gates on Saturday, June 21, 1788. She was the ninth state to
ratify, thus giving the instrument binding iorce."—New Hamp-
shire and the Federal Constitution.
The will of Rev. William Hooper was signed on "this fourth
day of January 1827" (Probate Records of Strafford County,
New Hampshire, Book 35, p. 237).
In this will he mentions son John, Noah, and James, also
grandson Samuel Hooper and daughter Mary Hill. He leaves
to one of his grand-children the "red broad cloth cloak belonging
to my wife Mary."
FIFTH GENERATION.
John 5 Hooper, b. in Berwick, July 4, 1778; m. by his father,
Jan. 22, 1799, to Susan Meserve of Durham, N.H. (Old Mad-
bury Records, Book 2, p. 44).
Susan Meserve was the daughter of Colonel Ebenezer and
Eunice (Torr or Tarr) Meserve. The Meserves were a dis-
tinguished family in New Hampshire during the Revolu-
tion.
Children of John Hooper and Susan Meserve were: —
Eunice, b. 1799; m. Timothy Glover; d. June 8, 1859; c, Will-
iam, Ivory, Rockwood, and others.
Mary, b. March 5, 1801.
Irene P., b. Jan. 4, 1804; m. James Stanyon.
John, b. Dec. 12, 1805.
William, b. ; m. Abbie Bean, of Bangor, Me.
Ivory, b. 1809; d. 1831.
Sarah, 6. 1811; m, Channey Jordan, 1832; d. in Roxbury,
April 27, 1863; c, Augustus C. Jordan, m. Clara Walker;
Jennie, m. Daniel S. Meserve; Susan, m. Bigelow, in
San Francisco.
Hannah, b. ; m. Dwight Parson, of Bangor, Me.
Sylvester M., b. 1816; m. ; c, Sylvester; Elizabeth.
James, b. .
The children of John ^ and Susan (Meserve) Hooper were born
in Madbury, with the exception of Sylvester M. and James
Hooper,
John Hooper ^ was a farmer, and lived on land described in
deed, "Footman to Hooper" (see Strafford County records).
This farm was near to the one owned by his father. Rev. Will-
iam. He held some town offices; and it is claimed that he also
was a Baptist minister, which is very likely true, as his name
appears on several records as "preaching to the people in a
38
barn." He d. while living in Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 18, 1828.
His widow, who lived after her husband's death in the family
of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah (Hooper) Jordan, died in Roxbury,
April, 1863, and is buried in West Roxbury, in the Jordan burial
lot.
$H
SIXTH GENERATION.
John ^ Hooper was h. in Madbury, N.H., Dec. 12, 1805, He
spent his young boyhood on the Hooper farm in Madbury, in
the family of his grandfather, Rev. William Hooper. He m.
Feb. 26, 1833, Martha Stanwood Perry, of Orono, Me. •
Martha S. Perry was 6. in Brunswick, Me., Feb. 27, 1811;
d. in San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 28, 1900. She was the daugh-
ter of Deacon John and Jane (Stanwood) Perry. Her father.
Deacon John Perry, was a merchant, and a deacon in the
First Congregational Church in Brunswick, and later was the
first deacon in the Congregational church in Orono, Me.
While in Brunswick, Deacon Perry "organized the first
Sunday-school in the town and in the state." A memorial
window was dedicated to his memory in this church in
Brunsv/ick, Me., Dec. 4. 1894. On this occasion Edward
Beecher Mason, D.D., quoted the following from Mr. Perry's
Journal : —
"I have before me the original journal kept by Mr. Perry,
in which he gives an account of what led him to undertake
the formation of a Sunday-school. It is dated 'in the
year 1811 & 12.' He says: 'Sometime in the winter
I saw a newspaper containing an account of a Sunday-
school in England. I enquired of Rev, Mr. Winthrop
Bailey, then our minister, and also of President Appleton
what they thought of them and how they were conducted.
They both thought favorably of them, but could give no
account of how they were managed. They thought how-
ever that nothing but reading, and that of a religious nat-
ure ought to be allowed in the school. This led me to make
another enquiry, which was this, — Can a. b. c. scholars be
admitted? And after deliberation, say a month or two,
they decided that they m ght be admitted, and assigned
for a deviation of this rule, that unless children were taught
a. b. c. they never could read the Bible."
The father of Deacon John Perry was Captain John Perry, of
40
Rehoboth. He was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Aug. 7, 1736
(the son of John, b. March 11, 1700--01, the grandson of
Nathaniel, h. Oct. 8, 1660, and the great-grandson of Anthony
Perry. See Vital Statistics of Rehoboth, Mass.).
Captain John Perry married Leaffe Walker, April 16, 1761.
She was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Aug. 4, 1742, the daughter
of Timothy, Jr., and Elizabeth Walker. Her father was a
captain of a militia company when he was the representative
to the Genera] Court of Massachusetts in 1757, 1758, 1759.
The Journals ot the Provincial Congress show that Colonel
Timothy Walker was the delegate from Rehoboth, 1774-75.
The Records in the Military Archives of Massachusetts rank
him as Colonel, who "marched on the alarm of April 19,
1775, for Lexington." His son-in-law, John Perry, was a
captain in the same regiment.
The father of Jane Stanwood, who married Deacon John
Perry, of Brunswick, and Orono, Me., was Colonel William
Stanwood. Mr. Stanwood receives this title of "Colonel" as
a colonel of a regiment of the Maine militia, after the Revo-
lutionary War. " He was a lieutenant, and had a long and
honorable record in the Revolution. " Colonel Stanwood was
born in Brunswick, Me., April 5, 1752. "He was, perhaps,
the most prominent Stanwood who has ever lived in Bruns-
wick" (Mrs. Ethel Stanwood Bolton, in "A History of the
Stanwood Family in America," p. 113). He transferred to
the President and Trustees of Bowdoin College, in 1796,
"fifty acres of land." The land thus transferred comprises
what is now the campus. In 1798 he was made an overseer
of the college, and held the position until May 16, 1815,
when he resigned it by letter. Colonel William Stanwood
was a representative in 1794-95. He died in Brunswick,
June 24, 1829. The eldest child of William and Hannah
(Thompson) Stanwood, Jennet, b. July 3, 1784; m. Deacon
John Perry.
John^ Hooper sailed on the "Star Pacific" from Boston, and
landed in San Francisco, Cal., July, 1851.
We take the following from The Bay of San Francisco: —
"John Hooper, whose personal history is inseparably connected
with the State of California, began his residence here in 1851.
41
He engaged in business, and at once became an important factor
in the building of the great Commonwealth. His ancestors
were from England, and were early settlers in New Hampshire.
The first year he engaged in the lumber business at the corner
of Jackson and Stockton Streets, his stock being brought from
New York and Boston. In 1854 he became connected with
mines in Amador County. He built the mills and founded and
named the town of Plymouth. Later he engaged in the grain
business in San Francisco, having dropped mining at the end
of seventeen years.
"His first vote was cast for the Whig party, and upon the or-
ganization of the RepubHcan party he gave it his allegiance,
and he has not missed a Presidential vote since his majority.
During the trying times of excitement in the early history of
the state, Mr. Hooper was one of the first to join the vigilance
committee, and, when the great civil war broke out, he stood
like a rock in favor of the Union, and in every honorable way
used his influence and money to perpetuate the government of
the United States. Before going to California Mr. Hooper
was a merchant in Bangor, Me. John ^ Hooper d. in San Fran-
cisco, Oct. 3, 1892.
Children of John and Martha (Perry) Hooper, b. in Bangor,
Me., were: —
Mary Jane, b. Nov. 6, 1833; d. June 9, 1851.
William Horace, 6. Nov, 20, 1834; m. Helen Van Netter. He
d. Feb. 1, 1879.
Franklin Perry, b. Oct. 6, 1836; d. July 3, 1904.
John Albert, 6. Sept. 25, 1838; m. Mary Campbell Brown, of
Orono, Me., June 21, 1866; c, Albert, b. Aug. 14, 1867; Mary,
Alice, Jessie, Jeanette, Frank, Arthur.
Martha Eleanor, b. Feb. 27, 1841; d. 1842.
Charles App!eton, b. March 14, 1843; m. Ida Geneva Snow.
Isabel WiHiams, b. May 2, 1845; m. William E. Norwood, of
Camden, Me.; c, Evelyn Perry, b. in San Francisco, 1871.
George Wilham, b. June 29, 1847; m. Saphronia Taylor Clapp.
Arthur Appleton, b. Nov. 27, 1850; d. Aug. 25, 1898.
SEVENTH GENERATION.
Charles Appleton Hooper, b. March 14, 1843; m. June 7,
1880, Ida Geneva Snow; c, Isabel Martha, Idolene Snow.
EIGHTH GENERATION.
Idolene Snow Hooper, b. in San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 2, 1883;
m. to Sumner Crosby of Brookhne, Mass., Aug. 6, 1901.
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